It’s Still Just Dirt, The Tillsonburg News – January 2017
by Angela Lassam

It is winter and we cocoon ourselves in our homes and only have our houseplants to add some green to our daily life. Have you ever thought you were actually doing yourself and the family a favour? Many plants that we normally keep in our homes are natural air cleaners and are easy to purchase even in our supermarkets.

The most common plants are the Spider plant, Weeping Fig (Ficus), Boston Fern, Bamboo Palm, Aloe Vera, Snake Plant, Dracaena and similar indoor plants. Flowering plants are Chrysanthemum, Gerbera Daisy and Peace Lily. They all absorb the pollutants (VOCs – volatile organic compounds) that can be found in our homes from the outgassing of many things around us daily.

Plants absorb particles in the air by taking in carbon dioxide and process it into oxygen through photosynthesis. Also the microorganisms found in potting soil are responsible for some of the purifying. An added bonus is that plant presence is reputed to lower blood pressure and stress.

Formaldehyde is the one that we all know and can be found in most manmade wood products, furniture and even fabrics used for bedding and drapes. We only remember the banned insulation which caused health problems to many people. As a matter of interest formaldehyde is found in many other common products that we use daily but we must remember the levels to cause problems have to be above .03 ppm to be of concern. For great reading and more information http://greatist.com/connect/houseplants-that-clean-air . Also if you are interested in learning more about formaldehyde look at https://branchbasics.com/blog/2015/04/23-sources-of-formaldehyde-to-remove.

NASA studies on indoor pollution recommend 15 to 18 plants in 6 to 8-inch- diameter containers to clean the air in an average 1,800 square foot house. That is approximately one plant per 100 square feet of floor space. This may sound like a lot but a basket of a variety of these will definitely give us a healthier environment.

It does not matter whether the plants in our home come in this category as any plant growing gives us a show of life and lifts one’s spirits. Flowering plants also add colour during the winter months.

One of the most popular flowering plants in most homes is the African violet which comes in many colours and flower patterns both frilly, plain, single or double. They can be propagated from a single leaf using the recommended potting soil for African violets.

Problems arise when caring for them due to watering and fertilizing. Water should be at room temperature maybe let it sit for a while. The plant should only be watered every two weeks or when dry to touch on the top of the pot. The best way to water them is to sit in a bowl of warm water and allow it to wick up to the roots. The water may have liquid fertilizer generally recommended for African violets added to it (less is better than overdoing it). To repot the plants always use an open free draining soil and do not press out the air in the mix as the roots which are fine and hairy like the air. Lastly they need light to flower so a sunny spot is ideal. A wilting plant may have Mealy Bugs eating its roots so washing the roots and repotting in new soil may save it. More reading on www.africanvioletsforeveryone.net

I hope this will help those members who enjoy this flower and will take some photos to submit to the Horticultural Society’s photo competition in September.

The next meeting for the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society is on February 7th @ 7.30pm in the Seniors Centre Auditorium, Tillsonburg Community Complex. The presentation this month will be Pruning given by Natasha Collins, a landscape architect and arborist new to Tillsonburg.

Members – just a reminder that renewals are due. Non-members $2 per meeting or sign-up at any meeting. Everyone welcome.

For information about the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society visit tillsonburghorticultural.ca online

It’s Still Just Dirt, The Tillsonburg News – December 2016
by Angela Lassam

Merry Christmas to all!  Have you ever given thought to question why we adorn our homes this time of year?

Many tree branches and other evergreens are taken inside for decoration and I wondered the reason. I thought to enlighten folk to their meaning so here are my findings.

Greenery such as cedar, ivy, holly originated as far back as Roman times and even further. They were taken inside to celebrate the Winter Solstice and depict everlasting life. As Christianity arrived holly was thought to replicate the crown of thorns and the berries were the drops of blood at the crucifixion. Ivy was used to show the need for support as it is a clinging vine. Evergreens showed continued life and the rebirth at springtime.

The Christmas tree tradition actually started in Germany in the 16^th century where the peasants believed it would keep illness and evil spirits away. It did not appear as a home decoration until 1847 when Queen Victoria encouraged by Prince Albert, a German started the tradition of a decorated tree to celebrate Christmas. This tree was decorated with many coloured ornaments (the European glass ones) and many other things. She was known for her extravagance with color and style and so it became the tree as we know today. The German settlers started the tradition in America around 1830. They decorated them with apples to represent the Garden of Eden and added nuts and popcorn and homemade cookies and candy.  The trees are usually spruce, fir or balsam.

Pointsettia Festival at Huron Ridge Acres in Zurich

The poinsettia plant has become the most popular plant at Christmas .They are usually red although there are all colors available in most nurseries (blue, cream, pale purple and white /red stripped). Some think the flower resembles a star as seen in Bethlehem and there are many other ideas suggested around the world. It is the red original color that attracted its use at Christmas time and they are the most popular plants especially as gifts that can be almost any size.

The poinsettia (Euphorbia Pulcherrima) was found in Mexico in 1828 by Joel Roberts Pionsett, a botanist from South Carolina and ambassador in Mexico. He found you could grow plants from cuttings and introduced them to America and later Canada and the world. In Mexico it is sometimes considered a weed or wild shrub. It grows in deciduous tropical forests at moderate elevations and can be up to 10 feet tall.

It is not actually a flowering plant but the colored leaves (to many the flower) are called bracts. The leaves once considered poisonous have been proven to be unsafe due to the milky sap which is latex and a skin irritant. If ingested the leaves will cause diarrhea and vomiting. It is wise to keep out of reach of puppies and kittens especially.

Poinsettias in the home like a sunny location, free from drafts and cooler nights. They do not like wet feet so only water when dry to touch by setting in water then letting drain (make sure if still in plastic there are drainage holes in the bottom). Fertilize the same as any other houseplant.

The Tillsonburg Horticultural Society resumes their monthly meetings on January 3^rd  @ 7.30pm in the Seniors Centre Auditorium , Tillsonburg Community Centre. Allyson McDonald will be giving a presentation on the beautiful English gardens in Cornwall and Devon.

Members just a reminder that annual membership renewals @ $15 are due. Non-members pay $2 per meeting. Everyone welcome.

For information about the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society visit tillsonburghorticultural.ca online.

It’s Still Just Dirt, The Tillsonburg News – November 2016
by Angela Lassam

Decorating inside and outside our homes for the festive season is here again. It does not appear to be the right time as most of us have only just removed all our annual plantings although they were still in bloom. It is always a pleasant job collecting greenery, maybe making bows and buying the 2016 choice decorations for the season.

Our speaker for this month’s meeting was from Twigs Floral Design, a local store with a modern approach to anything that is floral. The two ladies have attended floral conferences to be aware of new techniques and trends. Brenda Louws and Melanie Fardella demonstrated both small inexpensive and large elegant arrangements with a modern flair. They were boisterous and very happy while doing their presentation and made it look so easy.

They started with a small inexpensive centrepiece which included orchids – not your usual red for Christmas but it was obviously for Christmas as Cedars and other greenery was prevalent. Then they proceeded to do a large display worthy of any prestigious foyer in any big city. Notably the arrangements could be used for any occasion by changing the flowers used. The one that was done had orchids and small candles strategically placed but it could easily have been changed by placing eggs and Spring flowers in it for Easter.

We were told that we must remember to water the oasis that our arrangements are placed in and to spritz the greenery to keep it looking fresh longer. This is often forgotten but your arrangement will last a lot longer with more attention.

The Horticultural Society members have decorated Annandale House pots and urns, also outside the Station Arts Centre in preparation for the Down Home Country Christmas weekend. We hope they will be admired by all.

There are many Home Tours arranged in most towns, planned by volunteer organizations to raise funds for the less fortunate especially at Christmas time. Please take some time and go and enjoy at least one of them.

We have come to a spot in the calendar year where we do not spend time in our gardens but life does continue outside our windows and gives us a connection with the creatures that inhabit our outdoor space. I am talking about the birds (and squirrels still collecting their winter food). They will soon be unable to forage for themselves and as they give us help in our gardening world year round they deserve a little of our time.

The feeders need to be put out in easy spots for us to fill them especially when the snow flies. Also for us to watch them as they will be the only colour in the black and white world which will inevitably arrive. The bluejays (not the sports kind!), cardinals, woodpeckers, chickadees and juncos are now using the feeders so it is time to keep them filled regularly.

There is no monthly meeting in December but for members only there will be the usual Potluck Christmas Supper on December 6^th @ 6 pm in the Lions Auditorium, Tillsonburg Community Centre. Monthly meetings will resume in January 2017.

For information about the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society visit tillsonburghorticultural.ca.online.

It’s Still Just Dirt, The Tillsonburg News – October 2016
by Angela Lassam

Tillsonburg Horticultural Society members will be busy planting over 2000 tulip bulbs in the coming weeks in preparation for the 150^th celebration 2017. There are special bulbs on offer (red and white) and we hope that you will join us and plant some to make our town look great.

Bulb planting is easy. Even children can participate with a little direction. After buying bulbs that are solid, dry and free of mold you can start by measuring the depth of the bulb to decide how deep to plant them. Dig a hole three times the depth and sprinkle in some blood meal. It will promote root growth and may deter skunks and raccoons from digging them up. Place a bulb in the hole with the root at the bottom and fill in with good soil or a mix of soil and sand if the soil is heavy. Bulbs do not like wet feet. Lastly lightly water them in and press soil hard to slow down critters from digging up your work. You should not plant bulbs touching each other to prevent rot and mold.

Everyone gets upset when their bulbs seem to have disappeared when spring arrives. There are a few things we can do to help this situation. Blood meal will slow down rodents but chicken netting placed just beneath the soil on top of bulbs is one suggestion that is most commonly used. Strawberry baskets (the open plastic type) make good underground planters with wire on top. Most rodents do not like other animal smells (a dog or cat) so animal hair from grooming can be placed among the plantings and kitty litter (for the smell of urine) is another idea. Chili pepper liquid sprinkled around is not liked by rodents. Another idea is to scatter mothballs which would not be unsightly.

Bulbs that rodents do not like include daffodils, snowdrops, snowflakes and fritillaries. Unfortunately they like tulips, crocus and gladioli. This should not stop us planting them it just means more care when planting and more work.

Credit Valley Train Tour. Photo by A. MacDonald

As fall has arrived there is plenty of the reds, gold and orange. Recently a Fall Color Tour arranged by the Horticultural Society was enjoyed by members. It included a train ride through the Credit Valley and Niagara Escarpment on a bright sunny day with colors in full glory. For those of us who missed the trip our own countryside is full of color so a ride to buy the last roadside produce can brighten a day. There are many places to pick up pumpkins and squash. Also orchards are open for the new season apples.

Our gardens are almost finished so it is time to think of a favorite indoor activity. I like to use the unripened green tomatoes to make a chutney and collect fallen apples from the local orchard to make applesauce to use all winter. There are many chutney variations but this is a recipe I use with the addition of chopped apples to make it thicker. http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/green_tomato_chutney

Next meeting is on November 1st at 7.30 pm in the Seniors Centre Auditorium, Tillsonburg Community Centre. Presentation this month is to prepare our thoughts for centrepieces for Christmas. Twigs Floral Design will be doing a demonstration. There will also be the Photo Competition results and awards.

Non-members welcome. Non-members $2 per meeting so come and enjoy a social evening. Also you can become a member at any meeting and get extra benefits along with friendship and fun.

For information about the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society visit tillsonburghorticultural.ca.online.

It’s Still Just Dirt, The Tillsonburg News – September 2016
by Angela Lassam

Although it is still unusually hot for this time of the year all our gardens are showing signs of the shorter days. Early mornings there is mist over the ponds and it is wet underfoot. The canning and freezing of your harvest has slowed down and now is the time to look at your garden and decide what you would like to change for next year.

I prefer to divide perennials or relocate them in the fall. I have found a huge change in a plant when relocating it contrary to growing directions. There are many ways to divide but it does take time to do it successfully. Simply dig up the plant you need to work with and decide which method you should use from looking at the root.

Different types of root needs different tools. Tubers and rhizomes should be cut with a knife. These include Iris, Dahlias and Cannas. Woody crowns should be sliced with a handsaw. Astilbe, Peonies, Solomons Seal and Bears Breeches can be found in this category. A spade or pitchfork is useful for Bee Balm, Aster, Coneflower, Daylies and Garden Phlox.

Of course the easiest method is by hand and amongst those are Columbines, Jacobs Ladder, Sweet Woodruff and Yarrow. Spurge is a plant that produces a sap which is a skin irritant so care should be taken when handling it. Carnations, Delphiniums and Sea Holly are among those that should not be divided. If you are going to do this there is good information on this website http://www.finegardening.com/10-tips-dividing-perennial-plants.

We are all tempted to deadhead and cleanup but according to Paul Zammit, our speaker of the month we should let our landscape change with the seasons and allow the pollinators the space to keep our gardens thriving in the future. We should not make our gardens look manicured rather leave them as nature intended. Due to the decrease in open land and natural vegetation all pollinators are on the decline as their food sources are depleting worldwide.

The Honey Bee is a species which arrived in Canada with the Europeans. Our native bee is called the Mason Bee. Butterflies, moths, flies, spiders, beetles, ants and bats all contribute to pollination but do not forget that the wind plays a natural part. We need open types of flowers instead of the more popular double varieties to allow the bees to transfer pollen (protein) and nectar (honey). Also if you are adding bulbs to your garden this fall consider some early Crocus as the bees will seek them out. We have been told to help by allowing nature to do its job and not try to alter the biodervisity of the world.

Next meeting is on October 4th @7.30 pm in the Seniors Centre Auditorium, Tillsonburg Community Centre. The presentation is about the Royal Botanical Gardens, Toronto and will be given by John Peters RBG Curator and Manager of Plant Records. Non-members welcome. Non-members $2 per meeting so come and enjoy a social evening. Also you can become a member at any meeting and get extra benefits along with friendship and fun.

Members just a reminder it is the Photo Competition this meeting.
For information about the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society visit tillsonburghorticultural.ca.online.